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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-010-19 Addendum to CSD-007-19Clarington Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: October 15, 2019 Report Number: CSD-010-19 Submitted By: Reviewed By: File Number: George Acorn, Acting Director of Community Services Andrew C. Allison, CAO Resolution#: GG-468-19 By-law Number: Report Subject: Addendum to CSD-007-19 Land Acknowledgement Statement Recommendations: 1. That Report CSD-010-19 be received; 2. That Council approve the proposed Land Acknowledgement Statement to be read aloud by the Mayor or designate at the start of public regular and special meetings of Council and its Standing Committees held in the Municipality of Clarington, at civic celebrations, and other official events that are hosted by the Municipality; 3. That Council approve the draft By-law (Attachment 1 to Report CSD-010-19) to amend By-law 2015-029, the Procedural By-law, in order to incorporate a Land Acknowledgement Statement at the meetings; 4. That staff be directed to develop a training plan, in collaboration with the Diversity Advisory Committee and representatives of our local Indigenous community, to provide Indigenous cultural awareness for Members of Council and staff; and 5. That all interested parties listed in Report CSD-010-19 and any delegations be advised of Council's decision. Municipality of Clarington Report CSD-010-19 Report Overview Page 2 This Report provides Council a revised Land Acknowledgement Statement for their consideration. Following a Report and presentation at the June 17 General Government Committee meeting, the need to engage further was identified, which resulted in a referral back to staff. 1. Background 1.1. Clarington's Diversity Advisory Committee received a request through the Municipality's CAO's office to review and provide a recommendation to Council on the use of a Land Acknowledgement Statement. Council considered report CSD-007-19 Land Acknowledgement Statement at the June 17, 2019 General Government Committee Meeting. 1.2. Mr. Dave Mowat, representing the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation as Consultation, Lands and Membership Supervisor, provided a presentation to Council at this meeting to provide some history and background on the matter. 1.3. While the proposed Land Acknowledgement Statement contained within report CSD- 007-19 had been reviewed by Mr. Mowat as a representative of our local Indigenous community, it was discussed through his presentation that further consultation with the other identified communities should take place. As a result, Council approved Resolution #GG-390-19: "That Report CSD-007-19 Land Acknowledgement Statement, be referred to staff to Report back to the General Government Committee meeting of September 23, 2019." 1.4. Staff worked with Mr. Mowat throughout the summer recess to confirm the statement. Prior to the September 23 General Government Committee meeting, Mr. Mowat advised that the consultation, while underway, was not yet complete. Staff requested an extension to report back to the October 15 General Government Committee meeting. 1.5. Subsequently, Mr. Mowat advised staff that he had a revised statement that more accurately reflects the lands included in the recent Williams Treaties settlement and the land on which Clarington is found. Municipality of Clarington Report CSD-010-19 2. Proposal Page 3 2.1. It is proposed that the following revised Land Acknowledgement Statement be approved to read: "The Municipality of Clarington is situated within the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas and Chippewas of the Anishinabeg, known today as the Williams Treaties First Nations. Our work on these lands acknowledges their resilience and their longstanding contributions to the area now known as the Municipality of Clarington." 3. Implementation 3.1. Staff suggests that the Land Acknowledgement Statement follow the "Moment of Reflection" at Council meetings and follow the "Call to Order" at Standing Committee meetings. As such, staff are proposing the amended By-law 2015-029 (Attachment 1), the Procedural By-law, in order to incorporate a Land Acknowledgement Statement at the meetings. 3.2. Staff, in consultation with our local Indigenous community and the Diversity Advisory Committee, recommend that the Acknowledgement be read aloud by the Mayor or designate at the start of public meetings of Council and its Standing Committees, at civic celebrations, and other official events that are hosted by the Municipality. Examples of these special events include: • Clarington For the Love of Art Mayor's Gala • Clarington Celebrates Canada Day • Clarington Mayor's Golf Classic (reception) • Clarington Sports Hall of Fame (reception) • Facility, Parks, Trails or Municipal Buildings sod turnings, grand openings 3.3. In an effort to raise awareness and provide an understanding of the history of Indigenous Peoples of Canada, staff, in conjunction with the Diversity Advisory Committee, will seek out learning opportunities for Mayor, Council and staff who may be in a position to read this Acknowledgement to ensure that these words are not being offered without understanding of their meaning. 3.4. Any costs associated with developing additional training plans would be incorporated in a budget submission for consideration in 2020. Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report CSD-010-19 4. Concurrence 4.1. Not applicable. 5. Conclusion 5.1. It is respectfully recommended that Council consider the revised Land Acknowledgement Statement as prepared by Mr. Dave Mowat, as it is respectful and historically accurate in the recognition of lands covered by the Williams Treaties, which includes the Municipality of Clarington. Staff Contact: George Acorn, Acting Director of Community Services, 905-623-3379 ext. 2502 or gacorn@clarington.net. Attachments: Attachment 1: Draft By-law to amend the Procedural By-law 2015-029 Interested Parties: There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision. Attachment 1 to Municipality of Clarington Report CSD-010-19 If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington By-law 2019-XXX Being a by-law to By-law 2015-029, a By-law to govern the proceedings of the Council of the Municipality of Clarington, its General Government Committee, its Planning and Development Committee, and Special Committees Whereas the Council of the Municipality of Clarington has approved the recommendations by Clarington's Diversity Advisory Committee and those outlined in Report CSD-007-19 to include a Land Acknowledgement Statement at meetings; Whereas current Clarington's Procedural By-law, 2015-029, does not currently allow for a Land Acknowledgement Statement at meetings; Now therefore be it enacted that By-law 2015-029, Clarington's Procedural By-law, be amended as follows: 1. In Subsection 6.1.1 (Council Agenda): a. That the words "Land Acknowledgement Statement" be added following the word "Moment of Reflection", 2. In Subsection 6.2.1 (General Government Agenda): a. That the words "Land Acknowledgement Statement" be added following words "Call to Order"; 3. In Subsection 6.3.1 (Planning and Development Committee Agenda): a. That the words "Land Acknowledgement Statement" be added following words "Call to Order", 4. In Subsection 6.4.1 (Special Committee Agenda): a. That the words "Land Acknowledgement Statement" be added following words "Call to Order"; Attachment 1 to Municipality of Clarington Report CSD-010-19 5. That a new Subsection 7.1.4 be added as follows: 7.1.4 Land Acknowledgement Statement In recognition of a necessary first step towards honouring the original occupants of a place, and as a way to recognize the traditional First Nations, Metis and / or Inuit territories of a place, and to commemorate Indigenous peoples' principal kinship to the land, the following Land Acknowledgement Statement shall be read following the Call to Order: "The Municipality of Clarington is situated within the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas and Chippewas of the Anishinabeg, known today as the Williams Treaties First Nations. Our work on these lands acknowledges their resilience and their longstanding contributions to the area now known as the Municipality of Clarington." 6. That this by-law shall take effect on the date of passing. Passed in Open Council this day of , 2019. Adrian Foster, Mayor C. Anne Greentree, Municipal Clerk